Billionaire and Ineos Group founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly shown interest in investing in Manchester United, but only on the condition that he has complete control over transfers, according to Daily Telegraph.
Ratcliffe, who is reportedly worth £12.2 billion ($17bn), is said to be in talks with the Glazer family, who currently own United. He is apparently keen on buying the club or investing in it, as long as he has the final say on transfer deals.
This news comes at a time when United’s supporters have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the club’s ownership and their running of the team. The Glazers have been heavily criticised for their lack of investment in the club, with many believing that this has led to the team’s decline in recent years.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe serious about Manchester United takeover
Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group already owns the French club Nice and has a partnership with Mercedes in Formula 1. The businessman is known to be a keen sports fan and has previously expressed his interest in investing in a football club.
If Ratcliffe were to take control of United’s transfers, it would mark a significant change in the way the club is run. At present, the Glazers and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward have the final say on all transfer dealings.
United have struggled to compete with their rivals in recent years and have failed to win the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. The club has spent significant amounts of money on players in the transfer market, but many of those signings have failed to live up to expectations.
It remains to be seen whether Ratcliffe’s interest in United will result in a takeover or investment. However, his demands for control over transfers may resonate with the club’s supporters, who are keen to see significant changes in the way United is run.
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